Switch



W 6. A. YANOCHOWSKI L78039 SWITCH Filed April 24, 1924 Max/5i";

I I Q hatented Apr. 9, 1929.

ornrsn stares GEORGE A. YANOCHOWSKI, OF LA GRANGE,

l?stilllilhlli @FFEQCE ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR- TO KELLOGG SWITCH- BOARD &SUPPLY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SWITCH.

Application filed April 24,

lily invention relates to electrical switches or circuit closers for usein completing electrical circuits, and has to do more particularly withactuating buttons for use on automobiles or the like for controllingsignalling circuits for electrically actuated horns or warning devices,and an object of my invention is to provide a simple, compactarrangcn'ient of parts which are easily assembled to produce anelectrical switch which is most ellicient in its operation. i

A feature of my invention is to provide a device of the above class thatmay be operated by an actuating force applied from various angles, thatis, the actuating member need not be operated from a perpendicularlyapplied force, but may be given a slanting blow and operated to closethe circuit of the warning device.

linotl'ier feature of my invention is the provision of an actuatingmember in association with a ball and socket joint which permits theactuation of the actuating member by a force applied vertically or fromvarious angles to actuate means which will move vertically to close thecircuit of the warning signal regardless of the angle at which the forceis applied to the actuating member.

The above feature as well as others will be more. fully described in theensuing specification, and for a more complete understanding .of myinvention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in whichlike reference characters in the several views denote like parts, and inwhich Fig. 1 is an elevation view of my device;

liig. 2 is a sectional view of Fi 1 along the line 9*? of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of Fi 1;

Fi 4 is a disassembled perspective view of the partso't the switch of myinvention,

Referring now more in detail to my invention as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, the switch comprises an'actuating member or button2 moulded of suitable insulating n'iaterial such as hakelite, and ahollow cylindrical member 3 into which fits the circuit; closingmechanism of my invention. The

3 is mourned on the upper portion ing s iaft of an automobile and is '*han integrally formed flange 4t and a threaded portion 5 which hasscrewth eaded engagement with 1 portion of the steering shaft or controllevers. The mem- 1924. Serial No. 708,614.

her 8 is also provided with an annular semicircular outwardly extendedportion 6.

The circuit closing mechanism includes an inverted cylindrical cup orcover member 8 adapted to fit into the housing 3, and an annular groove9 in the circumferential face of the cup member 8 is adapted to receivethe end of a set screw 10, which has screw-threaded en.- gagement with asuitable tapped orifice 11 in the housing 3. This setscrew secures thecup member 8 in position in the housing 3 with its bottom face 12 flushwith-the annular end face 13 of the member 3. A disk 1% of suitableinsulation material is of a size to just fit snugly in the housing 2 andrests against the bottom of the hollow member 3. A disk 15 of suitableconducting material, such as copper, is provided with a reducedconcentric portion 16 which rests in a concentric counterbore 17 in theinsulation disk 14, the bottom face 18 of the disk 15 engaging the face19 of the insulation disk 1 1 when the said portion 16 of the disk 15 ispositioned as just described. An in sulation disk 20 of a size to justfit snugly in the member 3 is provided with a counter-bore 21 of a sizeto receive the disk 15 and of adepth equal to the thickness of the disk15 so that when the disk 20 is in position with the disk 15 resting inthe counter bore 21 the an nular face 22 of the disk 20 seats itselfagainst the face 19 of the disk 14. The disk 20 is provided with acentral orifice 23 in its face 2a to permit a portion of the face 25 ofthe disk 15 to be exposed so that this exposed portion of the face 25may be engaged by a circuit closing member 26, for purposes as willpresently be described. The insulating disks 1% and 20 enclose the diskmember 15 and insulate it from the housing 3' and a metal washer 27rests upon the disk 20, and the cup member 8 rests against this washer27 when the said inverted cup member 8 is secured in the housing 3 bythe set screw 10 to hold the washer 27 and disks 1 1- and 20 in positionagainst movement in the bottom of the member 3.

I provide a circuit closing member 26 cylindrical in shape, which isslightly smaller in diameter than the bore of the cup member ,8 topermit the same to partake of sliding movement in the cap or covermember 8 when resting therein. The circuit closing member 26 is providedwith a depending member 30 the end 81 of whichextends partially in theorifice in the disk 20, and is adapted to engage the exposed face 25 ofthe disk 15 as will presently be described. The bottom 32 of theinverted cup member 8 is oi? considerable. thickness, and. is providedwith a central orifice 33. The inner bottom face 3 1 is pro vided withan annular concave formed portion 35 which it rms a bearing for themanually tiltable stud 36. The stud 36 is provided at its one extremitywith a hemispherically shaped member 37 which rests in the annularconcave portion35 in the bottom face 34 of the cover member 8. The otherextremity 38 of the stud 36 is threaded and is adapted to havescrew-threaded engagement with a threaded insert'39 in the button '2 andas the button is moulded of suitable insula- @1112 member or the member26 with the tion such as balrelite,,tlieeinsert 39'may be placed thereinduring'the moulding of the button 2. This end 33 of the stud 36 is alsoprovided with a collar, 40 agalnstwlnch the button 2 rests when securedin position ,on the threaded end 33 ot-the stud 36.

I A. coilspringl is provided and encircles the depending member 30 ofthe member 26 oneend of the spring 11 resting in a counterbore 42 in themember 26. the other end otthe spring 1-1 resting onthe washer 27. Thetension of the spring tl is such as to force the member 26-upwardandcause the face 4.3 of the member 26 to seat itself against the face 44or the hemispherical portion 37 of the stud 36 and force thehemispherical portion 37 into the annular concave portion in the bottomof the member 8 and maintai n'the member 26 in its normal position withthe end 31 O'f its depending member 30 out of engagement with theexposed portion of the face 25 of the disk 15. The hemispherical portion3'? of the stud 36 and the annular concave portion 35 of the cup member8 in which the said hemispherical portion 37 rests, under the tension ofthe spring 41, form a ball and socket joint of the usual type forpurposes as will presen 1y be described. The conducting disk ltiisconnected to an external circuit by means of a screw 4.5 which hasscrew-threaded engagement with a suitable tapped orifice 4:6 in the disk15, the said screw lt passing through an insulation bushing 47 whichrests in a suitable orifice 18 in the bottom of the member 3 V toinsulate the said screw from the mem- 1 her 3. A terminal l9 restsbetween the screw a5 and the insulation bushing 17 and permits ti oexternal circuit connection to be secured thereto.

Having described in detail the parts which comprise the switch of myinventioml will now describe its use and mode of operation.

. II" aiorce is applied to the button 2 asby Itends to hold the button 2and its supporting stud 36 in their normal position. As hei toredescribed, the normal tension ojf the spring 41 is such as to force themember 26 nvoaose the face 14; of the stud 36 is seated against thetrace 13 of the member 26, the said member 26 is forced down in theinverted cover member 8 against the normal tension of the spring 41. Thedownward movement of the member 26 causes theend 31 of its do )endinmember 30 to engage the exposed face-portion 25 of the disk 15through-thecentral orilice 23 in the insulation disk 20. The engagementof the end 31 ot the integrally formed dependface 25 of the dis: 15closes the circuit of the warning device or electrically actuated horn.

New should the actuating force be applied near the periphery of thebutton 2 by the hand oftheoperator driving the car the stud 36 willtiltin the direction toward the side at I hemispherical portion 37 ofthe stud 36 on the side where thecforce is applied to move downward. Asthefaces L3 and ll of the member 26 and stud 36 are seated when theswitch is in its normal position, this downward movement of the edgeoistud 36, due to the tiltin g of the said stud 36, when force isapplied near the periphery of the button 2 forces the member 26down inthe inverted cup member 8 against the normal tension of the spring 41causingtheend 31 o fits integrally formed depending member 30 to engagethe exposed face 25 of the disk 15 to close the circuit of the warningsignal. I

From the -foregoing description it is readily apparent that no matterhow thebutton 2 is actuated, the end 31 oithe depending member 30 of themember 26 willalwaysengage the exposed taco 25 of the disk 15 in aperpendicular direction It is also apparent that the stud 36 movesverticallyor is tilted when a force is applied vertically or near theperiphery ot the button 2,this tilting of the stud 36 being permitted bythe ball and socket arrangement between the hemispherical portion 37.ofthe stud 36 and the concave annular portion 35 in the bottom 34 of thecover member 8.

In illustrating my invention 1 have chosen a preferred form,- but it isto beunderstood that many changes and modifications will do not desireto be limited tothe enact structure as shown,-but aim to cover all suchloo . readily suggcst themselves, and Ldihereiore iso changes andmodifications as come within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is: i

1. A device of the character described including a housing member, aninverted cover member fitting within said housing member, a, stationarycontact supported within said housing member, and a slidable contactmember within said inverted cover member, an actuating element having ahemispherical portion resting within said inverted member, a buttonmember for operating said actuating member, and a spring for yieldinglyholding said actuating member in a vertical posi tion, for maintainingsaid button in its normal position and for holding said slidable contactmember against said portion said 1 actuating member resting within saidinverted member it'docs not touch said station ary contact. v

2. A device of the character described in eluding a housing member, aninverted cover member fitting within said housing member and means forsecuring it therein, a stationary contact supported in the bottom ofsaidhousing member, a. slidable contact member supported within saidinverted member, an actuating clementcomprising abutton portion andhaving a hei'nispherical portion'resting within said inverted member,and a-spring for yieldingly holding said hemispherical portion in avertical position, for yieldingly holding said button portion in itsnormal position and for holding said slidable contact member so it doesnot engage said stationary contact.

3. A device of the character described including a housing member, aninverted cup member fitting within said housin member and means forsecuring it therein, a stationary contact supported within said invertedcup member, a slidable contact member rest ing within said inverted cupmember, an actuating element having a portion resting Within said cupmember, a button member adapted to operate said actuating membe a springfor yieldingly holding said actuating member in a vertical position, foryieldingly holding said button in its normal position and for holdingsaid slidable contact member seated said portion of said actuatingmember within said inverted cup memher, and means for actuating saidactuating member to move said shdable contact into ongagement with saidstationary contac 1 i. A device of the character described includmg ahousing member, an inverted cup member fitting within said housingmemberand means "for securing it therein, a stationary contact membermsulatmgly supported in the base o't said housin g, a shdable contactmember restingwithin said inverted cup. member, a central orince in thebottom of said member iitting through said orifice, a button secured tosaid extending member adapted to operate said actuating member, a springfor yield lgl holding said actuating element in a v'erti-cai positionfor yieldingly holding said buttoi'i in its normal position, forreturning it to normal after it has been operated and for hold ing saidslidable contact element so nos not engage said stationary contact, andmeans for closing contact between said contacts. v

5. A device oi? the character described in cluoing a housing member, aninverted cup member fitting within id housing member, a stationarycontact member supported in the base of said housing, a slid-ablecontact member resting in said inverted cup member, a central orifice inthe base of said inverted cup member, an annular concave bearing in thebase ofsaid inverted cup member, a central oriiice in the base of saidcup member, an actuating element provided with a hemispherical portionresting within said cup member, and in said annular bearing, the otherportion of said actuating elementextending through said orifice, abutton membersecured to said extending portion and adapted to operatesaid actuating member, a

ical portion of said, actuating member in said annular bearing, foryieldingly holding said button member in its normal position and forholding said contact member seated. against said hemispherical portionof said actuating member within said cup meniber.

6; A device of the character described including a housing member, aninverted cup within said housing niember, a stationary contact membersupported in the base of said housing, a slidable contact member restingin said inverted cup member, a central ori'tice in the base of saidinverted cup member, an annular concave bearing in the base of saidinverted cup menr her, a central orifice in the base of cup member, anactuating element provided with a hemispherical portion resting withinsaid cup member and in said annular bearing, the other portion of saidactuating element e):- tcnding through said orifice, a button membersecured to said extending portion and adapted to operate said actuatingmember,

a spring for yieldingly holding said hemi-.

iii

All

eluding a housing member, an inverted cup member fitting Wrthm saidhousing member,

sulation disks and stationary contact in said housing, a slidablecontact resting Within said cup member, an actuating element having aportion resting Within said cup mem her, a button member secured to anextending'portion of said actuating element adapted to operate saidactuating element when any portion of said button is moved in a downwarddirection, a spring for yieldin 'ly holding'said actuating member inavertical position, for yieldingly holding said button in its normalposition and for returning the same to its normal position after it hasbeen operated and for holding said contact membcrseated against saidportion oi said actuating member Within said cup member and in positionso that the same does not engage said stationary contact. a

A deviceot the character described in eluding a housing member, aninverted cup member fitting withinsaid housing member, a stationarycontact member supported in the base of said housing, a slidable contactmemberresting in said inverted cup member, a central orifice in the baseof said inverted cup member, an annular concave bearing in the base orsaid inverted'cup member,

a central oritice in the base of said cup mem her, an actuating elementprovided With a hemispherical portion resting Within said cup member andin said annular bearing, the

other portion of said actuating element ex tending through said orifice,an actuating button connected to the porticn'ot said actuating memberextending through said central orifice,a spring for yieldingly holdingsaid 'hemispheacal portion of said actuating member in said annularbearing and for holding said contact member seated against saidhemispherical portion of said actuating memturn said button to normaland yieldingly hold'it'in its normal position.

: 9. A device of the CllillZLCtGPdGSCIlbGd including a housing member,an inverted cup member fitting Wlilllln said housing member, astationarycontact member supported in the base oi said housing, aslidable contact member resting inisaid inverted'cup mom ber, a centralorifice in the base oi said invertsaid stationary contact, saidactuatingedcup member, an annular concave bearing in the base ofsaid'inverte'd cupmember', a cen-j tral orifice in the base of said cupmember, an actuating element provided with a hemispherical. portionresting Within said cup member and in said annular bearing, the otherportion oi said element extending through said. orifice, an actuatingbutton connected to the portion of said actuating memberextendingthrough said central orifice, a spring for yieldingly holdingsaid hemispherical portion of said actuating member in said annularbearing and for holding said contact member seated against saidhemispherical portion of said actuatingmember and in p'osition'so thatsame does not engage said stationary contact, said actuating buttonadapted, when moved laterally to cause said hemispherical portion ofsaid actuating element to rock in said annular bearing in said cupmember and cause the peripheral edge of said hemispheris cal portion ofsaid actuating memberto one said slidable contact and move the same indownward vertical direction into en? gagement with said stationarycontact, said spring adapted toreturn said button to normal andyieldingly hold it in its normal position; j

10, A device-of the character described including a housing member,a-stationary contact in said member, a movable contact adapted to bemoved perpendicularly into engagement with said stationary contact, anactuating member adapted to move said contact, a hemispherical membersecured to said actu ating member to provide tiltable and rectilinearmovement tor said actuating member for moving said movable contactperpendicularly, and a spring adaptedto return said movable contact,said hemispherical member and said actuating member to nor mal. i

eluding a housing member, a stationary contact and a movablecontact-Within said hous. 111g member, an actuat ng member, a hem1-'spherical member secured to said. actuating member to permit the same tobe either tilted or moved perpendicularly, and said hemispherical memberconnecting said actuating member with said movable contact so that thesame may be moved perpendicularly into engagement With said'stationarycontact should said actuating member be either tilted or movedperpendicularly and a spring adapted to return said a'ctuatingmember tonormal.

'19; A device of the eluding a housing member,an inverted cover memberfitted into said housing, azmovable and a stationary contact Within saidhous- 11. A device of the characteridescribed incharacter describedining, a tiltable or' perpendicularly movable actuating member, and ahemisphericalmember securedrtosaid actuating member for permitting saidtiltable and perpendicular movements, a spring adapted to return saidactuating member to its normal position, and means permitting the saidmovable contact to be moved perpendicularly into. engagement with saidstationary contact should said actuating member be either tilted ormoved perpendicularly.

13. A device of the character described including a containing member, acover for said containin g member, a movable and a stationary contactwithin said containing member, said movable contact having perpendicularmovement only, an actuating button, a hemispherical member secured tosaid actuating member to permit the same to be either tilted or movedperpendicularly for moving said movable contact into engagement withsaid stationary contact, and a spring adapted to return said movablecontactand said actuat ing button to normal.

14. A device of the character described including a containing member, acover for said member, a stationary contact within said containingmember, a movable contact adapted to be moved perpendicularly intoengagement with said stationary contact, and an actuating button and ahemispherical member secured thereto to permit the same to have bothtiltable movement and rectilinear movement for moving said movablecontact into engagement with said stationary contact, and a springadapted to return said movable contact and said actuating button tonormal.

15. A device of the character described including a containing member,an inverted cover cup fitting in said member, a stationary contactwithin said containing member, a movable contact adapted to be. movedperpendicularly into engagement with said sta tionary contact, actuatingmeans having both tiltable movement and rectilinear movement for movingsaid movable contact into engagement with said stationary contact, saidactuating means including an actuating button and a member having aspherical shaped persaid cover engaged by said hemispherical member toform a ball and socket joint to permit both tiltable and perpendicularmovement of said button for moving said movable contact, and a springadapted to yieldingly h'old said movable contact and said actuatingbutton in their normal positions and for returning them to said normalpositions after they have been operated.

17. A device oi? the character described including a containing member,a stationary contact and a movable contact Within said containin member,an actuating button member, a hemispherical member secured to saidactuating member and extending within said containing member, an openingin said cover engaged by said hemispherical member to form a ball andsocket joint to permit both tiltable and perpendicular movement of saidbutton, said hemispherical member connecting said actuatin member withsaid'movable contact so taat the same may be moved perpendicularly intoengagement with said sta tionary contact should the said actuatingmember be either tilted or moved perpendicularly, and a spring adaptedto return said movable contact and said actuating button to normal whenthe same has been operated.

Signed by me at Chicago, in the county of Cool; and State of Illinois,this 22d day or" April, 1924.

GEORGE A, YANOCHOWSKI.

